 
 
 |
Jess Frantz and Wendy Strohl scored just 21 seconds apart in the first half, and IUP celebrated its return to the top of the national rankings with a 2-0 win at Kutztown on Tuesday. IUP jumped to No. 1 in the latest National Field Hockey Coaches Association poll on the strength of its win at Bloomsburg on Saturday and extended its lead in the PSAC standings by downing Kutztown. The Crimson Hawks are 13-2 overall and 10-1 in the PSAC. IUP has a 1 1/2 game lead over Kutztown and Bloomsburg, both 8-2 in the conference, and owns the tiebreaker by winning three of four against its two closest rivals. The first place team in the PSAC will host the four-team conference tournament on October 26-27. The victory also avenged a 1-0 loss to the Golden Bears (14-2 overall) at Miller Stadium on September 15. Since that defeat, the Crimson Hawks have won seven in a row, including five by shutout. IUP received nine of the 12 first place votes in the NFHCA poll. Kutztown, ranked second, picked up two first place votes. The game against Kutztown was scoreless until the 25:25 mark of the first half when Frantz tallied her 10th goal of the season, tipping in a shot attempt by Kellen Yoder, who received an assist on the play. IUP stole the ball from Kutztown seconds later and converted the turnover into an insurance goal when Strohl scored for the second time this season, assisted by Liz Marosky. The Crimson Hawks finished with an 11-4 advantage in shots while Kutztown had seven penalty corners to four for IUP. Lydia Dolly made two saves for IUP and Sam Flowers had four for the Golden Bears. IUP returns home for its Senior Day on Friday with a 4 p.m. game against Slippery Rock. Prior to the game, the team will honor seniors Strohl, Liz Martini and Carrie Stork.
|
